Nina and Finn McCarrick have two sons, Connor and Declan attend the posh Kings Norton School and they live in a large home. Nina married Finn when she was very young and has always stayed home caring for her family and home. In recent years, she has become even less confident in social situations. She never feels like she fits in. Having grown up very poor makes her really appreciate her life now.

It is when she is waiting for Finn to join her to watch Connor’s rugby game that she gets a phone call from the hospital that Finn has been badly injured in an accident. By the time she gets there, he has died.

The next days and the funeral are very hard on Nina and the boys. Her sister, Tiggy, attends the funeral and offers her help. The two of them have not been close in recent years. Tiggy never left the poor area where they grew up and now there is a vast difference in their lives.

Nina gets a call from Finn’s account manager informing her that there are many debts that built up. It appears that Finn’s construction business had gone under. Finn had always taken care of the bills telling her that everything is fine and she is not to worry about anything. Now, it appears that they will be losing their beautiful home and everything in it. In addition, the boys’ tuition has not been paid in awhile and they must leave their beloved school.

The next weeks are terrifying for Nina as she copes with her loss coupled with the boys’ shock of losing their Dad and their lifestyle. Where will they go and how will Nina be able to support them? This is where Tiggy steps in and Nina learns to pull herself up by her boot straps.

This is a good book that is quite depressing at times but makes us realize how some people suffer and makes us thankful for what we have. I could relate to a lot of this story as my own mother was left a widow with three small children. It’s not easy but if families stick together, life does indeed go on.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Amanda Prowse has written a deeply layered story of family, trust and resiliency. She has created empathetic characters and a plausible premise for a thought-provoking novel. In The Art of Hiding, Ms. Prowse explores the differences between the “haves” and “have-nots”, mental health, the meaning of taking care of your family.

The story begins virtually at Finn’s demise, so readers only get Nina’s side of their marital story. Nina was young and living in poverty when she met Finn McCarrick, and she falls easily under his spell. He offers her a trouble-free life, and he too easily convinced her to give up her dreams of becoming a nurse. Nina doesn’t realize until Finn is gone that she has given up so much more than a career by giving in to his wishes for where and how she lives.

Finn is a Jekyll and Hyde character. I haven’t decided if he was a loving, caring husband trying to ensure he wife never has to go wanting again, or if he was controlling and used his wife’s insecurities to keep her isolated and basically in servitude to him (acting as housekeeper and nanny). Nina’s memories of him vacillate between his loving gestures to what she views as her waiting on him like a servant.

Tiggy—the would-be-astronaut --who lives above the pub at which she tends bar is a constant reminder to Nina of what her life could have been. Instead of showing her older sister compassion and helping her, Nina blindly doled out trivial trinkets and bits of money as holiday gifts presuming Tiggy will buy some pretty flowers instead of paying down the electric bill. Tiggy’s renewed presence in Nina’s life and her generosity are a mirror in which Nina can now see how she cocooned herself in Finn’s world and rejected her family as the constant reminder of the past she desperately wanted to leave behind.

Ms. Prowse deftly created a marital situation that could have weathered all of its fissures had there been more trust and communication. Nina completely and blindly trusted Finn. He either didn’t trust Nina’s fortitude or didn’t trust her love for him. Tiggy offers the viewpoint that Nina is a much stronger person than her late husband, and she sagely helps Nina remember the art of survival. Together, Tiggy and Nina, teach Nina’s sons, Declan and Connor, resiliency.

In different ways and for different reasons, Nina and Finn have both mastered the “art of hiding”. Ms. Prowse’s novel is about how they hid, why they hid, and the tenacity it takes to stop hiding and face a situation head-on.

4.5 stars

I have a few Amanda Prowse books that I have yet to read. I have always been brought in by the blurbs.

I received this book unexpectantly and I am so grateful I did.

It took me a while to get into the book, I felt at times that the chapters dragged on but I persevered and in the end I absolutely enjoyed this book.

Nina is thrown from her comfortable life when her husband dies and she discovers the money isn't there. Her two boys have to adjust to state school, and Nina has to find a job and move back to the poorer area she grew up in.

Feels thin and cliched - i really didn't enjoy it.

After the sudden death of husband Finn, Nina finds out that the perfect wrapped-in-a-bubble life she thought they had wasn’t perfect after all. She is forced to give up her beautiful house and expensive things and move with her two sons back to the place Nina swore she would never return to - her hometown. With the help of her feisty sister Tiggy, she will try to find a job – although she has absolutely no work experience - and get her life back together.
This book focuses on families as Nina and her sons grow closer than they have ever been and she reconnects with her estranged sister. Although I found the plot interesting and relatable, it didn’t completely engage me or keep me captivated. The characters were not particularly likable and were a bit irritating, especially Nina who keeps repeating how she grew up poor and married rich and seems too naive and clueless.

After reading many Amanda Prowse books I was very much looking forward to reading this one. However I sadly have to say that I think this is one of her weaker ones. The storyline is predictable and the very tragic losses (both emotional and material) were dealt with in a frothy and superficial way. Having experienced a close friend's fall out after the suicide of her husband, the way Nina coped and reacted was just unbelievable.
Another small irritation is that rugby is never played in the summer term in any school, public or state and if Connor celebrated his 16th birthday in the summer term he would also be sitting his GCSEs. Every mother would know this and these two inconsistencies added to my feeling that Ms Prowse has not done enough research and should perhaps stop churning out books like James Paterson and spend a little more time on getting to grips with the details.

The Art of Hiding takes the reader along on a roller coaster ride of emotions, experiencing the panic, fear, anger, desperation, and confusion of losing a loved one through Nina and her two boys, Connor and Declan. I loved this story; it is a story of survival and discovering just what is really important in life.

The Art of Hiding would make a good book discussion title. I can think of many friends that I would love to sit down with and talk about this book while sipping on a "mug of white wine"

I felt this was a well written book about loss and grief seen through the eyes of different family members, with a hopeful and positive ending. However I did feel it was quite cliched and that I had read the story of girl with a troubled background being whisked off her feet by a rich man then losing it all and with a troubled background being whisked off her feet by rich man then losing it all and ultimately realising material possessions aren't as important as love and family.

When a husband dies and his wife and family know nothing about the running of the house and business, things can become rather more difficult than they anticipated when the day after the funeral Nina is told they are bankrupt. Life changes dramatically and suddenly. Money doesn’t always bring happiness or self worth.. This is one of those books that grabs you from the start and makes you want to find out more. A lead character that you feel and root for in the turmoil of her life and the innocent and naive one she has led to this point, sheltered by a devoted husband. She has her boys to think of and realises things that wouldn’t have crossed her mind in her past life with Finn. She has talents of her own and enjoys company rather than hiding behind her insecurities. She is beholden to no-one and isn;t the waitress she realises that she was, standing on the periphery. This is beautifully written and poignant , filling me with tears at one point with memories of my own as I am sure it will others.. Stunning, uplifting, wonderful. Love it.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

This book follows Nina McCarrick and her family and starts with a real tragedy. Her husband Finn is killed in a car accident and now now is left alone with her children Connor and Declan. Of course these boys suffer as well and they miss their dad a lot.

Things get worse, because Finn had a secret. They have to move out of their family home, the boys have to leave school and Nina has to find a job. That’s not easy though and most people are not on their side. With her sister Tiggy’s help they fin a way, but they have to move away.

Tiggy’s and Nina’s relationship is not easy, things have been tense ever since Nina met Finn. The two of them finally get to talk properly and Tiggy opens Nina’s eyes. Nina grows with every chapter and learns a lot about her past, but also things for her future.

This is a very poignant story about love, family, grief, loss, friendship and much more. I really enjoyed reading about Nina and her sons, these scenes were by far my favourite.

This is not my fave Amanda Prowse book, but I still loved it! She always manages to include all the feelings and emotions, it’s close to life and she touches controversial and delicate topics every single time.

Another touching story, wonderfully written and full of heart!

Rating: 4.5/5

In The Art of Hiding, Amanda Prowse tells a story of a woman who seems to have lost almost everything. Nina has come from a poor background but has been caught up in the love and promise of nice things and a worry free life from her husband Finn. When her husband dies in an accident she has two sons, a fifteen year old and ten year old, and she is about to find out all the things that Finn has been hiding from her.

Nina and her boys have lived in a large house, the boys have gone to an elite school and Nina has never worked since marrying Finn. She has been safely ensconced in her large house taking care of all the needs of her boys and husband. Now according to her sister that is not really healthy and as the days unfold, Nina's sister Tiggy just might be right. Where are those rich women when Nina's world falls down around her. Well like rats leaving a sinking ship - they are gone.

When Nina returns with her two boys to her home town, it is really, really tough. Declan the ten year old is in shock, Connor her fifteen year old is by turn sullen with flashes of caring at odd times. Nina needs a job, but... how many jobs is she qualified for? Well very few or none actually.

The neighbourhood is a far cry from what they have been used to, but step by step they all make their way. Nina has guts and aided by her sister Tiggy she slowly finds her way forward. She begins to examine her life and choices, who was she... who is she now? It is difficult, her boys are struggling as you would expect, they are all grieving. But there are unexpected offers of support and the people they meet are quite different to those they once knew.

This is a very realistic story of grief, shock and loss. Of being thrown in the deep end with the choice of sinking or swimming. It is about family and what it means to have true friends and the place of money in happiness.

I really liked the book and found myself returning to it any moment I had.

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse is a wonderful story of a woman finding her inner strength and confidence after a tragedy rocks her family. It was hard to put down, it pulled me in from the beginning. I loved following Nina's life after the death of her husband.
This was my first time reading a novel by Ms. Prowse but it will not be my last!

First experience reading Amanda Prowse. The plot is familiar & predictable. Prowse is at her best when exploring the complex emotions Nina experiences when her whole world collapses & she must be strong for her sons, and with her portrayal of the sisters' thorny history & revitalized relationship. Despite its lack of surprise, the story is lovely.

I am giving The Art of Hiding 5 stars because the story hooked me from the first page and I had trouble putting it down. The story is of a family that has it all, but then tragedy strikes and it is incredible to go along with them as they learn a new normal. I felt so much empathy for their situation and loved the way the author took us along for, what I believe, were very real reactions to a sudden change in circumstance. This book has some sad moments, but for the most part, is uplifting and encouraging. I would have some tissues for the last chapter, but not because you will be crying from sadness, but more for overall positive changes in each character and their journey. This is my second book by Amanda Prowse and I will certainly be looking for more by her in the future.

This was a well-written, moving book. Nina has an amazing life. A stay at home mom of two boys, she loves her husband and the home they bought and decorated together. Then her husband, Finn, dies in a car accident and she finds out he has been keeping secrets from her - the business has gone under and they are bankrupt. She has to find a way to crate a new life for herself and her sons. She learns lessons of confidence and inner strength and what really matters in life. This was a very emotional story and I found it hard to put down. I look forward to reading other books by this author.

I enjoy reading fictional books that make me think about what is important in life. Amanda Prowse’s newest book, The Art of Hiding really highlighted that notion about what is important. The main character Nina thought she had a perfect life, a beautiful house, plenty of food and money, a great husband and two boys. Until her husband Finn dies and Nina’s house of cards falls apart. She and her boys are left destitute with nothing. Nina needs to be strong for the boys and strong for herself as they rebuild their lives.

The beginning of the book was so hard to read. Amanda Prowse words evoked such horror and immense sadness. I found myself both sad and mad at the same time. The small steps Nina takes and the slow growth of surviving day to day brought relief. It is a gift to be able to write in such a way that the emotions of the main character are mirrored by the reader.

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse is a great read.

Living large. The estate, huge house, best private school for their two sons, owning a company and money in the bank. That illusion quickly fades with the death of her husband. Then the fairy tale unravels and ugly reality takes its place. Sometimes reality is so much better and makes you stronger...
Gripping look at grief, struggle and finding yourself. Sometimes slow moving, always emotional, stimulating and inspiring. Loved the motivational support offered by Tiggy and Gilly. 
Voluntarily read ARC, through Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing, for honest review.

I loved this very well written book. I found the character to be very real, and the storyline realistic. I was drawn into the storyline from the beginning. The book is fast paced, engrossing, and at times a tearjerker. I love stories like this with a character that makes their way through hard times and comes out on the good side.

The story begins with Nina dealing with the grief of suddenly losing her husband and their perfect life. Nina soon comes to find that the life she had was based on a false reality, and now she'll have to find a way to just survive financially and emotionally.
I thought there were some parts of the book that portrayed Nina as a strong enough person - she moved her 2 boys and herself back to the place and life she grew up in. A far fall from their grand home and lives, Nina shows some grit in dealing with the situation while helping her sons cope with their grief. The one thing that really was disappointing was that it seemed like Finn, the deceased husband, never ended up with enough fault being attributed to him. By Nina or her sons. The story did pretty well in describing the changes in circumstance, although some things worked out rather more neatly than they likely would in real life. On the plus side, I was very happy that there wasn't some romance novel ending.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion.

Amanda Prowse is certainly a gifted writer, giving us an emotional story we can feel and experience along with the characters. For me, though, it lacked a little oomph, some sort of bang or twist to shake me out of the doldrums.

When we meet Nina, she is the quintessential pampered, wealthy housewife. Her sole purpose in life is to dote on her husband and children. While Nina's character and her predicament is handled well and is mostly believable, I found her unlikable. Not only is she pampered, but she is also naive and, I'm sorry, stupid. In this digital age when banking is a click away, she doesn't even know the password to their checking account, much less any savings and investment accounts they might (should) have. She is absolutely, utterly, in the dark about her household finances and situation, relying on her husband to manage everything. And, apparently, she is totally content with this setup.

Then her husband dies and Nina discovers her pampered lifestyle has come to an end. Getting to this discovery, and some resulting action from Nina, is dragged out. We spend a lot of time grieving first. Don't get me wrong, this is handled well as far as the writing and emotional level, but, for me, the story felt stagnant, with a lot of emotion but every little movement.

The second half of the story finally has Nina getting herself together and making life choices for herself and her children. Here we find that Nina has a bit of a lucky charm, as coincidences work in her favor and her children's rebellion is barely a blip in the reality of teenage angst.

In the end, there are no surprises in this formulaic story. And we never learn whether the husband was a sociopathic control freak or a loving husband who got it all wrong. But maybe leaving us to wonder was the plan here.